Subject: ETHRC: UA 5/99 Disappearances in Bazartete
Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 18:20:08 -1000
From: ethrc <ethrc@minihub.org>Precedence: bulk
EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE 124 Napier St Fitzroy 3065 Australia PO BOX 1413
Collingwood 3066 Australia Tel: +61 3 9415 8225 Fax: +61 3 9415 8218 E-mail:
ethrc@minihub.org Interim Director: Ms Kathleen Maltzahn Chair: Bishop Hilton Deakin
URGENT ACTION May 20 1999
NAMES: Etelvina (no surname) Augusta (no surname) Abeba (no surname) Constantino (no
surname) Hermelinda (no surname) Belarmino (no surname) Justina (no surname) Felix (no
surname) Ana (no surname) Inacio dos Santos Florindo dos Santos Bernardino Santos Abilio
da Silva Alberto Oliveira
VIOLATIONS: Disappearances
LOCATIONS: Bazartete sub-district, Liquica district, East Timor
Ref: UA 5/99
The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) is concerned for the safety of nine East
Timorese civilians who were captured by members of the military-backed militia between 17
and 18 May, following an operation in the sub-district of Bazartete, west of the capital
Dili. Their whereabouts is still unknown, despite internal steps taken to locate them.
ETHRC sources have reported that Etelvina (no surname), Augusta (no surname), Abeba (no
surname), Hermelinda (no surname), Constantino (no surname), Belarmino (no surname),
Justina (no surname), Felix (no surname) and Ana (no surname), were captured during a
military-like operation conducted in the Bazartete area by members of the pro-integration
civilian militia. The aim of the operation was to capture and kill pro-independence
supporters. The operation, which covered several villages, from the Nassuta village up to
the village of Fahi Lebu, was ordered by the head of the district of Liquica, Leoneto
Martins and the Commander of the Besi Merah Putih militia, Manuel de Sousa. Houses were
destroyed and other property belonging to local villagers were stolen during the
operation. Local sources have reported on similar operations taking place in other parts
of East Timor and the ETHRC will continue to investigate these claims.
The ETHRC has also received the names of five East Timorese people who are believed to
have been kidnapped by pro-integration forces during May and early April. According to
local sources, Alberto Oliveira and Inacio dos Santo were kidnapped on 9 May 1999. It is
believed the other three men, Florindo dos Santos, Bernardino Santos and Abilio da Silva
were kidnapped on 6 April 1999. Internal steps taken to locate the men have been
unsuccessful and their whereabouts remains unknown.
The ETHRC holds grave fears for the safety of the above-mentioned East Timorese if they
are not located soon, as they may be at risk of being killed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes/telegrams/express/airmail letters in English,
Bahasa Indonesia or your own language:
* Seeking clarification of the whereabouts of the above-mentioned East Timorese people
and calling for their immediate release; * Expressing particular concern at the recent
human rights violations perpetrated by members of the Indonesian military and the
para-military group, Besi Merah Putiih, in the sub-district of Bazartete; * Calling for
immediate and unrestricted access to be allowed to all areas of East Timor for UN human
rights monitors, international and local human rights organisations, in order to provide
ongoing human rights monitoring, and in particularly to conduct a full and impartial
investigation of the recent violations committed by military backed armed militia; and *
Calling on the government of Indonesia to take steps to immediately disarm all civilian
militia groups in East Timor and to prosecute those responsible for human rights
violations to the fullest extent of the law.
SEND APPEALS TO:
1. PRESIDENT YUSUF HABIBIE President of the Republic of Indonesia Istana Negara Gedung
Binagraha Jl. Veteran Jakarta Pusat INDONESIA Faxes: +62 21 345 7782 Telegrams: President
Habibie, Jakarta, Indonesia E-mail: habibie@ristek.go.id
2. MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Ali Alatas S.H Menteri Luar Negeri Jl. Medan Taman
Pejambon No. 6 Jakarta INDONESIA Faxes: +62 21 360 541 / 360 517 / 380 5511 / 345 7782 /
724 5354
3. MINISTER FOR DEFENCE FORCES General Wiranto Menteri Pertahanan Keamanan RI Jl. Medan
Merdeka Barat No 13-14 Jakarta 10110 INDONESIA Telephone: +62 21 366 184 Fax: +62 21 3845
178
4. RESORT MILITARY COMMAND (KOREM) Colonel Tono Suratman Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma
Dili East Timor Faxes: +62 390 21 624 Telegrams: Colonel Suratman, East Timor (Indonesia)
5. MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA (includes East Timor) Major General Adam Damiri
Pangdam IX/Udayana Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana Denpasar, Bali INDONESIA Telephone: +62
361 228 095 Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Please also send appeals to:
* Diplomatic representatives of Indonesia in your country * Parliamentarians and the
Foreign Ministry in your country
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY Check with the East Timor Human Rights Centre if
sending appeals after July 1,1999
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